I cannot believe that this has gone to 13 pages.
Make no mistake, ability in the UK at Sporting clays will see the best shots regularly breaking around 96% of the targets providing the course setter has set a good course, the 4% losses will be down to fatigue or lack of concentration.
The class structure will on the whole settle down fairly consistently over a six monthly average.
As for birds only, it is only fair to allow every one to compete and if someone feels that they have no chance of a return for their investment into a prize fund, it should be their prerogative to opt out.
There really is no need to attend registered shoots if you do not wish to, there are plenty of clubs where a novice can learn the basic skills and progress up through the classes in a friendly familiar surrounding before venturing out to the Open shoots.
Please remember that most of us started at local clubs, the Bloxhams, Myers, Stirzakers, Solomon's etc., didn't just buy a gun and go out and win instantly, they all had to learn the skill sets, but more importantly they now have to apply them unfailingly.
A friend of mine recently won £150 in 'B' class, is he a sandbagger ? No, he is a very very good shot who competes regularly at his local shoots, he hadn't done a registered for about three years and is a genuine 'B' class, but he doesn't do the registered circuit. If he now goes and shoots registered shoots regularly, by his own admittance he is going to find it hard to win again, but he accepts that, he shoots to enjoy himself.
That is what we should all be doing.
Make no mistake, ability in the UK at Sporting clays will see the best shots regularly breaking around 96% of the targets providing the course setter has set a good course, the 4% losses will be down to fatigue or lack of concentration.
The class structure will on the whole settle down fairly consistently over a six monthly average.
As for birds only, it is only fair to allow every one to compete and if someone feels that they have no chance of a return for their investment into a prize fund, it should be their prerogative to opt out.
There really is no need to attend registered shoots if you do not wish to, there are plenty of clubs where a novice can learn the basic skills and progress up through the classes in a friendly familiar surrounding before venturing out to the Open shoots.
Please remember that most of us started at local clubs, the Bloxhams, Myers, Stirzakers, Solomon's etc., didn't just buy a gun and go out and win instantly, they all had to learn the skill sets, but more importantly they now have to apply them unfailingly.
A friend of mine recently won £150 in 'B' class, is he a sandbagger ? No, he is a very very good shot who competes regularly at his local shoots, he hadn't done a registered for about three years and is a genuine 'B' class, but he doesn't do the registered circuit. If he now goes and shoots registered shoots regularly, by his own admittance he is going to find it hard to win again, but he accepts that, he shoots to enjoy himself.
That is what we should all be doing.
